Framework for suspended inverted arch modules and method



ApriH 9, 1968 c. FREY' I 3,376,677 Y FRAMEWORK FOR SUSPENDED INVERTED ARCH MODULES AND METHOD Filed April 14, 1966 FIE--4- INVENTOR. CMQ/ST/AA F/QfV BY Wk United States Patent FRAMEWORK FOR SUSPENDED INVERTED ARCH MODULES AND METHOD Christian Frey, San Francisco, Calif., assignor to Suspended Structures, Inc., San Francisco, Calif., a corporation of California Filed Apr. 14, 1966, Ser. No. 542,509

4 Claims. (Cl. 52-122) This invention relates to architectural structures and more particularly to multiple unit buildings formed of a plurality of suspended modules and to a method of constructing the same.

Applicants Patent No. 3,226,727 and patent applications Ser. No. 515,602, Patent No. 3,226,727 and Ser. No. 413,211, Patent No. 3,302,363, represent the general environment of this invention.

The invention specifically relates to a new and unobvious framework for suspension of prefabricated modules and a method of constructing the framework. Previous style frameworks for suspended modules require a large and permanent service column from which the modules are suspended. See for example Frey 3,226,727.

The invention disclosed in this application not only provides a framework whics utilizes the inherent physical properties of construction materials and thereby reduces material costs, but also discloses an etficient and economic method of construction of the framework.

In general, the framework may be constructed by first erecting two vertical structures across from each other. Then arcuate shaped column parts are suspended from the structures. Support members may be run between the arcuate parts so as to form bridge members from which other building components may be suspended. The arcuate parts are then separated by an hydraulic spreader and new parts suspended in the opening formed between the old parts. This process is continued until the arcuate parts form a complete structural portion of a building. The prefabricated modules may either be suspended prior to the hydraulic separation or after the arc has been completed. Cables may then be extended across a cord of the arc and a permanent platform placed below the columns. Finally, the vertical structures may be removed. The resulting column has the exterior arcuate columns under compressive force and the cross cables under tension. Thus, a material of high compressive strength such as concrete can be utilized to make the arcuate portions of the column. Conversely, material having high tensile strength such as steel may be used for the cables. Where the arcuate parts are made of reinforced concrete, they may be cast in place at the base of the vertical structures and separated after they have set.

As can be readily seen from the above description of the invention, the invention provides a framework which may be constructed quickly and at the same time utilizes the respective strength of various material to the utmost.

The major vertical structural members of the ultimate building are self-erecting with the initial vertical structure formed in only a temporary manner.

This invention is primarily meant to allow the construction of high-rise structures of extraordinary shapes to be constructed at ground level or in close proximity to ground level or work platform levels. The importance of being able to work at ground levels, etc., is that work at these low levels provides economic savings in'labor and material costs and the cost of handling materials during the erection procedure. For instance, at the present time structural steel from the mills costs approximately seven cents per pound, but the installed price for high-rise frame structures is about 35 cents per pound.

This invention is particularly useful in erecting major building components having pure mathematical shapes, for instance, the shapes of circles, ellipses, para'bolas, etc. and portions and combinations thereof. Predetermined building sections with the arcuate shapes of portions of mathematical arches and the like, are assembled at ground level and pushed outwardly by hydraulic jacks over predetermined adjustable templates. Preferably the arched seotions are assembled and pushed outwardly in pairs so that the forces incident to supporting and moving the sections balance each other. While the arched sections are moved, tension means may be used in conjunction with hydraulic jacks for moving the sections and guiding them along the paths which it is desirable to have them follow. Where tension means of this type, such as cables, are used, the tension means may be temporary or may be a permanent feature of the system.

Since the arcuate building systems are small in comparison to the ultimate height of the building, the individual arcuate sections may be prefabricated. In the latter regard, it should be noted that this invention permits substantially total prefabrication of buildings when the principles of my above mentioned patent are employed together with this invention. Thus, the main vertical structural members of a building may be constructed from prefabricated modules in accordance with this invention. Either during or after the period when the main vertical members are constructed, the majority of the occupiable components of the building may be suspended from the vertical members or from cantilever support portions attached thereto in accordance with the principles disclosed in my above mentioned patent. A

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of two embodiments of the invention, reference being made to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a partially completed suspended modular building constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the partially completed suspended module building illustrated in FIG. 1 showing the placement of hydraulic spreader;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the suspended module building of FIG. 2 showing the hydraulic spreader in its expanded position;

' FIG. 4 is a side elevational view illustrating a second embodiment of the inventive concept.

Referring now in detail to FIG. 1, vertical structures 14 formed of any suitable temporary framework are mounted on the ground at 16 and have a pivotal protrusion 18. Cables 20 radiate from the pivotal protrusion 18 to arcuate shaped column parts 22 which are assembled in FIG. 1 into completed columns 24 and 26. Support beams 28 interconnect the columns 24 and 26. Prefabricated building modules 30 are suspended from the support beams 28 by cables 31.

In FIG. 2 a hydraulic spreader 32 is mounted between two of the arcuate shaped column parts 22a and 22b at mounting pins 38 and 40. The hydraulic spreader is used to push the arcuate parts 22a and 22b apart by a distance at least as great as their combined lengths. The hydraulic spreader 32 is shown in its expanded form in FIG. 3. As can be seen in FIG. 3, after the spreader is expanded, additional arcuate shaped column parts 35 and 37 may be inserted between the separated column parts 22a and 22b (shown in phantom). This sequence is repeated until the arcuate parts 22 form a complete arc of the desired length.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which the lengths of the supporting cables are adjusted when the hydraulic spreader is operated. Thus, cables 42 are longer than the cables 44. Both tables 42 and 44, of course, continue to perform the same function of supporting the arcuate shaped column parts 22 while the hydraulic jacks are operated.

A support pad 34 (FIG. 3) for the entire building is formed under each of the arcuate columns, and preferably, this pad is formed before the first arcuate sections of the columns are made. Thus, the ultimate weight of the building will rest on these pads, and the Weights of the arcuate portions of the columns may be supported and guided by the pads while the arcuate parts are being formed and while the hydraulic spreaders are being operated. In addition, cables may be strung across the cords of the columns 24 and 26 and the vertical structures 14 removed. Under this concept, a movable structure 14 such as a crane might be utilized to construct the building.

The arcuate parts of the columns 24 and 26 are structurally connected together by any suitable method depending on whether the arcuate parts are made of concrete, structural steel or some other prestressed or poststressed material. With the arcuate parts thus connected together, llateral loads on the columns are supported by the cables 20 or the cordwise cables which replace them, and the arcuate parts 22 are subjected only to compressive forces.

The prefabricated modules 30 may be connected to the support beams 28 at any stage of the construction of the building. The prefabricated modules could be attached prior to the elevation of the column parts 22. Thus, the prefabricated modules 30 could be raised into position at the same time that the columns 24 and 26 are constructed. Alternatively, they could be attached after the entire columns 24 and 26 have been constructed.

While certain principles of the suspended modular building of this invention and two specific embodiments thereof have been illustrated and described above, it will be obvious that many modifications thereof may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the structure and method of the invention.

I claim:

1. The method of erecting a framework for use with suspended modules which comprises:

(a) erecting at least one substantially vertical structure on the ground;

(b) suspending by cables a first group of arcuately shaped column parts from the structure;

(c) attaching at least one support beam to the first group of arcuately shaped column parts;

(d) providing a lifting mechanism adjacent to the column parts for lifting the parts and to create an opening between the parts;

(e) operating the lift mechanism to lift the first group of arcuately shaped parts to an elevated position and to create an opening between the first group of arcuate parts;

(f) suspending by cables a second group of arcuately v 4 l shaped column parts from the structure and within 'the'openi'ng between the first group of arcuate parts;

(g) operating the lift mechanism to lift the second group of arcuately shaped parts to an elevated position and to create an opening between the second group of arcuate parts; and

(h) continuing to move and building is complete.

2. The methodof claim 1 addition of these steps:

(a) installing a cable across a cord of the column;

and

(b) removing the vertical structure. 7

3. A building framework for use with suspended modules which comprises:

lift column parts until the further characterized by the (a) two substantially verticalstructures mounted on i the ground; (b) two columns;

(1) each column composed of articulately shaped parts;

(2) each column respectively adjacent to one of the structures;

(3) each column shaped upwardly from the ground; and

(4) each column substantially parallel to the.

other column; (c) a plurality of cables;

(1) each cable secured at one end of the structure and at the other end to one of the articulately shaped parts of the column adjacent to the structure to which the cable is secured;

(2) each cable subjected to tensile forces in sup porting the respective column.

(d) support beams interconnecting the columns.

4. The method of erecting a generally arcuate building column which comprises:

(a) forming a pair of column segments adjacent to each other; (b) supporting said segments from above;

(c) spreading said segments apart while said segments No references cited.

HENRY C. SUTHERLAND, Primary Examiner.

CHARLES W. ISAACS, Assistant Examiner. 

3. A BUILDING FRAMEWORK FOR USE WITH SUSPENDED MODULES WHICH COMPRISES: (A) TWO SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICAL STRUCTURES MOUNTED ON THE GROUND; (B) TWO COLUMNS; (1) EACH COLUMN COMPOSED OF ARTICULATELY SHAPED PARTS; (2) EACH COLUMN RESPECTIVELY ADJACENT TO ONE OF THE STRUCTURES; (3) EACH COLUMN SHAPED UPWARDLY FROM THE GROUND; AND (4) EACH COLUMN SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO THE OTHER COLUMN; (C) A PLURALITY OF CABLES; (1) EACH CABLE SECURED AT ONE END OF THE STRUCTURE AND AT THE OTHER END TO ONE OF THE ARTICULATELY SHAPED PARTS OF THE COLUMN ADJACENT TO THE STRUCTURE TO WHICH THE CABLE IS SECURED; (2) EACH CABLE SUBJECTED TO TENSILE FORCES IN SUPPORTING THE RESPECTIVE COLUMN. (D) SUPPORT BEAMS INTERCONNECTING THE COLUMNS. 